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Cats superior to Spartans

Wildcat assistant coach Doug Hjersjo embraces senior Ben Wunrow as the rest of the Cats celebrate River Falls' 28-14 victory over Superior on Senior and Parents Night Friday at David Smith Stadium at Ramer Field. The victory was the first in the Big Rivers Conference for the Cats this season and came in the last home game for the team's 21 seniors. Bob Burrows photo

River Falls senior Zach Pavlichek had a simple answer for how the Wildcats defeated Superior Friday night.

"Because we love football," he said. "Finally things went our way, in our last game on this field."

The Cats entered Friday's game with a 0-5 record in the Big Rivers Conference. Four of those came by less than a touchdown and two were in overtime.

Superior, meanwhile, came in at 3-2 with wins over BRC co-leader Hudson and defending BRC champion Chippewa Falls. The Spartans were looking to lock up a playoff berth with a win Friday night, but the Wildcats had other plans.

"We know we have a team that can win games," senior quarterback Mark Bennett said. "Nobody on this team is ever going to give up."

The Cats controlled the Spartans from the start, putting together a 16-play, 67-yard drive on their opening possession to take a lead they would never relinquish on their way to a 28-14 victory.

"It's unbelievable," senior Ben Wunrow said, celebrating with family and friends near midfield after the game. "Everybody stepped up. The juniors really stepped up. That was great to see. Everybody played a hell of a game all around."

Junior Nick Zimmerman rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown, junior Jack Herum scored his first career touchdown, junior Talal Adam made five unassisted tackles and sophomore Ryan Kusilek tossed a pair of touchdown passes.

But this win was for the seniors who were playing the final home game of their careers.

Please read more in the Oct. 22 print edition of the River Falls Journal.